System for providing a hidden fastener design for containers

ABSTRACT

A system for providing a hidden fastener design for containers resulting in a smooth, fastener-free exterior finish, improving product appearance, reducing water intrusion points, and reducing maintenance cost is provided. The hidden fastener system embodies primary structural members, each having a small cavity extending along its length, wherein the cavity is defined by spaced apart exterior and interior portions, and wherein the interior portions provide a connection for hidden fasteners to the other structural members and container components. Corner facia, curved and rectangular, provide interior portions for using hidden fasteners to connect to the other structural members and container components. The system also embodies a method for joining the hidden fasteners from the inside of the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/251,908, filed 6 Nov. 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers and, more particularly, to a system for providing a hidden fastener design for containers.

Truck van bodies, trailer vans and other large storage containers use exposed fasteners visible on the exterior of their body, creating many water intrusion points and obstacles for customized painting and decal graphics. The visible fasteners also exhibit an aesthetically unappealing appearance.

As are result, current van body systems are more likely to have water leaks, are more likely to be costly to customize with decal graphics and painting, and are more likely aesthetically unappealing.

As can be seen, there is a need for a system for providing a hidden fastener design for containers resulting in a smooth, fastener-free exterior finish, improving product appearance, reducing water intrusion points, and reducing maintenance cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a system for assembling with hidden fasteners a container having an outward facing exterior without fasteners visible includes a structural member providing at least one cavity along its length, each cavity defined by an interior portion and an exterior portion, wherein said portions are spaced apart and generally parallel relative to each other; a plurality of hidden fastener openings spaced apart along a length of the interior portion; and a return leg extending from an end the exterior portion to an adjacent end of the interior portion and then extending further away from the exterior portion in a generally orthogonal relationship thereto.

In another aspect of the present invention, the system for assembling with hidden fasteners a container having an outward facing exterior without fasteners visible includes a plurality of structural members, each structural member having at least one cavity along its length, each cavity defined by an interior portion and an exterior portion, wherein said portions are spaced apart and generally parallel relative to each other; a plurality of hidden fastener openings spaced apart along a length of the interior portion; and a return leg extending from an end the exterior portion to an adjacent end of the interior portion and then extending further away from the exterior portion in a generally orthogonal relationship thereto; wherein the plurality of structural members includes bottom horizontal, front vertical and rear vertical members further including a plurality of hidden fastener openings spaced apart along a length of their respective return legs, wherein the plurality of structural members includes a top horizontal member further including a T-shaped flanged transversely extending from the return leg away from the at least one cavity, wherein the bottom horizontal member further comprises a L-shaped flanged transversely extending from the return leg away from the at least one cavity; a curved facia providing an arcuate outward facing portion extending between two non-outward facing portions, wherein one of the two non-outward facing portions provides a plurality of hidden fastener openings that align with plurality of hidden fastener openings of the return leg of the front vertical member; and a rectangular facia providing an outward facing portion perpendicularly joined to a non-outward facing portion, wherein the non-outward facing portion provides a plurality of hidden fastener openings that align with plurality of hidden fastener openings of the return leg of the rear vertical member, wherein the plurality of structural members is connected to form at least one rectangular framework for the container.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown without supports and other accessories for clarity;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detailed section view of FIG. 4, illustrating the hiding of fasteners by a horizontal structural member;

FIG. 6 is a detailed section view of FIG. 4, illustrating the hiding of fasteners by a horizontal structural member;

FIG. 7 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a detailed section view of FIG. 7, illustrating the hiding of fasteners by vertical structural member; and

FIG. 9 is a detailed section view of FIG. 7, illustrating the hiding of fasteners by facia.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a system for providing a hidden fastener design for containers resulting in a smooth, fastener-free exterior finish, improving product appearance, reducing water intrusion points, and reducing maintenance cost. The hidden fastener system embodies primary structural members, each having a small cavity extending along its length, wherein the cavity is defined by spaced apart exterior and interior portions, and wherein the interior portions provide a connection for hidden fasteners to the other structural members and container components. Corner facia, curved and rectangular, provide interior portions for using hidden fasteners to connect to the other structural members and container components. The system also embodies a method for joining the hidden fasteners from the inside of the container.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9, the present invention may include a system for providing a hidden fastener design for containers resulting in a smooth, fastener-free exterior finish, improving product appearance, reducing water intrusion points, and reducing maintenance cost. The hidden fastener system embodies primary structural members incorporating a small cavity to conceal the joining fasteners from exterior view. The primary structural members include top horizontal member 10, bottom horizontal member 12, front vertical member 14 and rear vertical member 16 extrusions that define the main framework of a body of a container 70. Each primary structural member extrusion forms a cavity 60 enabling the application of hidden fasteners 26 for joining other structural members and container components thereto, as well as resulting in structurally superior member because of the increased bending resistance provided by the cavity portions.

Each cavity 60 may be defined by an exterior portion 62, an interior portion 64, and opposing legs 66 interconnecting the respective ends of the spaced apart, generally parallel exterior and interior portions 62 and 64. In certain embodiments, the exterior and interior portions 62 and 64 may be spaced apart between one-third and two-thirds of an inch. The cavity 60 may extend a length of the structural member, or cavity 60 can be comprised of spaced apart cavities 60 along said length. The opposing legs may be orthogonal relative to the exterior and interior portions, or in some embodiments transverse relative thereto, depending on aesthetic and functional needs. In certain embodiments, one of the opposing legs 66 may include a return leg 68 that extends away from the exterior portion 64, wherein the return leg 68 provides structural support to other components of the container 70.

The interior portion 64 provides a plurality of spaced apart hidden fastener openings for attaching hidden fasteners 26 thereby joining the interior portion 64 to another container component or primary structural member, while presenting the exterior portion 62 to observers. Similarly, the return leg 68 may provide hidden fastener openings. Other container components include vertical posts 22, side panels 24, front corner caps 28, front walls 38, deck 40, top ribs 46, side facia 36, back walls 50, and other convention members for finishing the construction the container body.

In certain embodiments, the return leg 68 may include T-shaped or L-shaped flanges orthogonally joined thereto for engaging other components of the container 70. For example, the L-shaped flange 72 may be dimensioned and adapted to couple with its associated return leg 68 so as to provide a C-channel for supporting a deck frame 42, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The T-shaped flange 74 may be dimensioned and adapted to support top panels 48 and top panel corners 44, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The front and rear vertical member 14 and 16 may be structured to facilitate connections to corner facia, specifically curved facia 18 and rectangular facia 20 for finishing the corners of the container body. Especially the assembly of the side panels 24 joined of the adjacent front and rear vertical members 14 and 16 to create the overall container body appearance with the smooth surface exterior. Furthermore, the respective return legs 68 of the vertical members 14 and 16 facilitate the joining of the sidewall 24 assembly to the curved facia 18 and rectangular facia 20 from the inside the of the container 70. The curved facia 18 and rectangular facia 20 provide bodies having an outward facing portion 19 and an non-outward facing portion 21, wherein the non-outward facing portions 21 may provide hidden fastener openings for attaching hidden fasteners 26 for joining the outward facing portion 21 to an adjacent primary structural members and/or container components. In certain embodiments, Z-shaped members 30, 32, 34 may be provided. Z-shaped members 30, 32, 34 have at least a first leg 81 and a second leg 82 orthogonally related thereto, both of which providing hidden fastener openings that simultaneously align with the hidden fastener openings of the non-outward facing portion 21 of the facia and the associated interior portions 64 of the structural member, respectively.

The present invention may be created by designing the structural material extruded profiles of the primary structural members 10, 12, 14, and 16 having at least one small cavity 60, hollow or semi hollow region that will accept a hidden fastener 26 along their respective interior portions 64 from the inside of the container 70. In certain embodiments, the cavity 60 does not provide a completely closed profile, or in other words the cavity 60 is not completely circumscribed by the exterior and interior portions 62 and 64 and opposing legs 66. The structural material can be repeatedly bent without fracturing, such as various metallic material, various impregnated or laminated fibrous materials, various plasticized materials and the like.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The system disclosed above may be provided. A user may assembly a container 70 using the primary structural members and the conventional components disclosed above and as shown in the Figures, wherein the cavities 60 of the structural members facilitate the joining of members and components through hidden fasteners 26 attached to the interior portions 64 of the cavities 60. Curved and rectangular facia 18 and 20 may provide their own non-outward facing portions 21 to join to the interior portions 64 for creating a smooth, fastener-free exterior finish. thereby reducing maintenance exteriors, less water intrusion, and ease of customization with graphics and paint. The containers 70 may include but are not limited to truck van bodies, service bodies, trailer van bodies, portable storage units, outdoor containers, and the like.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for assembling with hidden fasteners a container having an outward facing exterior without fasteners visible, comprising: a structural member comprising: at least one cavity along its length, each cavity defined by an interior portion and an exterior portion, wherein said portions are spaced apart and generally parallel relative to each other; a plurality of hidden fastener openings spaced apart along a length of the interior portion; and a return leg extending from an end the exterior portion to an adjacent end of the interior portion and then extending further away from the exterior portion in a generally orthogonal relationship thereto.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the structural member further comprises a plurality of hidden fastener openings spaced apart along a length of the return leg.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the structural member further comprises a T-shaped flanged transversely extending from the return leg away from the at least one cavity.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the structural member further comprises a L-shaped flanged transversely extending from the return leg away from the at least one cavity.
 5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a curved facia providing an arcuate outward facing portion extending between two non-outward facing portions, wherein one of the two non-outward facing portions provides a plurality of hidden fastener openings that align with plurality of hidden fastener openings of the return leg.
 6. The system of claim 2, further comprising a rectangular facia providing an outward facing portion perpendicularly joined to a non-outward facing portion, wherein the non-outward facing portion provides a plurality of hidden fastener openings that align with plurality of hidden fastener openings of the return leg.
 7. The system of claim 5, further comprising a Z-shaped member having at least a first leg and a second leg orthogonally related, wherein the first and second legs operatively interface said one of the two non-outward facing portions and the return leg respectively.
 8. The system of claim 6, further comprising a Z-shaped member having at least a first leg and a second leg orthogonally related, wherein the first and second legs operatively interface the non-outward facing portion and the return leg respectively.
 9. A system for assembling with hidden fasteners a container having an outward facing exterior without fasteners visible, comprising: a plurality of structural members, each structural member comprising: at least one cavity along its length, each cavity defined by an interior portion and an exterior portion, wherein said portions are spaced apart and generally parallel relative to each other; a plurality of hidden fastener openings spaced apart along a length of the interior portion; and a return leg extending from an end the exterior portion to an adjacent end of the interior portion and then extending further away from the exterior portion in a generally orthogonal relationship thereto; wherein the plurality of structural members includes bottom horizontal, front vertical and rear vertical members further comprising a plurality of hidden fastener openings spaced apart along a length of their respective return legs, wherein the plurality of structural members includes a top horizontal member further comprising a T-shaped flanged transversely extending from the return leg away from the at least one cavity, wherein the bottom horizontal member further comprises a L-shaped flanged transversely extending from the return leg away from the at least one cavity; a curved facia providing an arcuate outward facing portion extending between two non-outward facing portions, wherein one of the two non-outward facing portions provides a plurality of hidden fastener openings that align with plurality of hidden fastener openings of the return leg of the front vertical member; and a rectangular facia providing an outward facing portion perpendicularly joined to a non-outward facing portion, wherein the non-outward facing portion provides a plurality of hidden fastener openings that align with plurality of hidden fastener openings of the return leg of the rear vertical member, wherein the plurality of structural members is connected to form at least one rectangular framework for the container. 